Djokovic and his 25th Grand Slam: now or never?

Andrés Tomás Rico | 20 May 2026 | 15.00

Djokovic and his 25th Grand Slam: Now or never? Photo: Getty Images

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Novak Djokovic starts to smell blood. Despite his low profile after the final at the Australian Open, since then he has only played Indian Wells and the Masters 1000 in Rome. When the calendar marks a Grand Slam again, the Serbian reactivates himself, along with his competitive hunger. It doesn't matter that he arrives at Roland Garros without much match practice; he will always be a contender for the title.

However, in 2026, a series of events have paved the way for him to secure his 25th Grand Slam, whether at Roland Garros or Wimbledon. The decisive factor driving this possibility is the long-term absence of Carlos Alcaraz due to his wrist injury, keeping him out of action since mid-April and forcing him to withdraw from Paris and London, with his return to the circuit remaining uncertain.

Novak Djokovic and a unique and possibly final opportunity to claim his 25th Grand Slam

The issue for the Belgrade native is that, despite the absence of the Spaniard in these two major tournaments, the best player in the world at the moment, Jannik Sinner, will be there. Moreover, he is in an unbeatable form, making him the top favorite to triumph on the French clay and at the British grass courts.

Nevertheless, Djokovic has the advantage of his victory over Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2026. There, the Serbian showed that he still has a lot of tennis left in his racket and that the Italian is not invincible. Therefore, in the case of a potential encounter between them at Roland Garros, Nole already knows the formula to break through Sinner's defense.

Djokovic will be the third seed in Paris, which could place him on the same side of the draw as Sinner or keep them apart until a potential final showdown. However, regardless of when this match might happen, the Serbian will have his chances. Although Sinner's excellent form on the clay, with 17 consecutive victories, and Djokovic's lack of match practice on this tour, having suffered a defeat in his only match, tip the scale in favor of the world number one.

Therefore, Djokovic also has the opportunity at this Roland Garros, apart from contending for the title, to find the rhythm and confidence needed to make a strong push at Wimbledon. The conditions of the London grass are the perfect setting for Djokovic to achieve his 25th Grand Slam, provided that injuries do not hinder his path.

While he will have his chances at Roland Garros, it is at Wimbledon where he must go all out. Not only because his game suits the grass better than the clay, but also because Sinner will arrive with a substantial number of matches under his belt, making him less fresh for the British summer event.

Rarely will Novak Djokovic have such an opportunity left in his brilliant career. Without Carlos Alcaraz and with Jannik Sinner as the only rival who can stop him. There is still a long way to go until the fortnight of Wimbledon, and now all eyes, including Nole's, are on Roland Garros. For now, everything is conjecture, but one thing is certain: the 24-time Grand Slam champion will diligently seek his 25th major, whether it be in Paris next week or at Wimbledon in a month.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic y su 25º Grand Slam: ¿ahora o nunca?